Death toll in Paris apartment collapse rises to seven

The death toll in the partial collapse of a four-storey apartment building in a Paris suburb has risen to seven after emergency crews pulled the body of an elderly woman from the rubble.

Fire department spokesman Gabriel Plus said the body was found this morning in north-eastern area of Rosny-sous-Bois.

Officials said there was no longer danger in the neighbourhood after the explosion sheared part of the building yesterday, scattering scraps of metal and household belongings.

An 8-year-old child was the first victim to be found dead after the explosion at around 7am. Eleven people were injured in the incident, some of them seriously.

Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, speaking to reporters at the scene, said the explosion appeared to have been caused by a gas leak.

“We should be prudent, because there are investigations ongoing. There is no certainty,” he said.

One side of the four-storey building in the suburb of Rosny-Sous-Bois was ripped off completely, exposing the interiors of apartments. Local authorities said the structure appeared to have conformed to building codes.

A rescue mission could last up to 48 hours, authorities said.

Local residents who rushed to help in the moments after the blast described a bloody scene.

“We tried to take people out,” said Arafet Brahim, who said he and his friends pulled out some children who appeared to be in good shape.

“But we also took bodies out,” he said. “Frankly it was horrible, I don’t know how to describe that moment,” he said.

Agencies